Iran national festival celebrating the spring of Newrooz kicked-off recently in Tehran. The festival which was opened by President Ahmadinejad was attended by foreign Ambassadors as well as representatives from various international and regional bodies. The 6 - hours colourful ceremony witnessed the cultural performances by the tribal representatives of the 31 Iranian provinces with traditional dance and music. President Ahmadinejad in his remarks referred Newrooz as the 'harbinger of spring which is a source of national and regional Unity'. Newrooz marks the beginning of the Persian New Year on 21 March which is celebrated nationally and in parsi-speaking countries including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgystan and Kazakhstan. Newrooz was incepted as the intangible cultural heritage of mankind in September 2009 by UNESCO. President Ahmadinejad later decorated Mr. Esfandiar Rahimi Mashaie, senior adviser to the president, with a national medal for his profound work in promoting Iran culture nationally and worldwide.
Embassy of Malaysia
Tehran
25 March 2013
